Axle-center.



No. 7|0E,9'2|.' I Patented 0cm,- I902.

c. T. McCUE.

AXLE CENTER.

(Application filed June 4, 1902.)

(N0 llodet.)

UNTTnn STATES PATENT Crrrcn.

CHARLES T. MCCUE, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

AXLE-CENTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,921, dated October'7 1902.

Application filed June 4, 1902. Serial No. 110,193. (No modeld To Itwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. MCCUE, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAxle-Centers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to axles, and more particularlyto the centralportion of the axle, and in the present device is shown in connectionwith the front axle of a vehicle, which ordinarily is a steering-axle,and is provided with a king-bolt upon which said axle is oscillated.

The objects of the invention are to provide an axle-center the main bodyportion of which is composed of metal and is so formed thata wooden seator block may be securely held in position on one side thereof, theholding means being so arranged that none of the parts project below theline of the main body portion.

A further object is to provide a king-bolt integral with the main bodyportion and so arranged that the reach-lugcooperating with saidking-bolt will bring little or no strain upon the king-bolt. In fact,one of the material objects of the present invention is to so arrangethe reach parts connected with the front axle member that all strainswill be transmitted between said connecting parts directly through thebody portion of the axle, while the king-bolt serves merely as akeeperto maintain the proper position of the parts.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of anaxle embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is aplan view showing the underside of the axle. Fig. isa crosssectional view through the axle,king-bolt, and appurtenant parts. Fig. 4 is across-sectional view on theline .99 a; of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes the main body portionof the axle, which is preferably formed of metal and recessed, as at 2,to form a seat for the block 3, which is preferably of wood or may bemade of any other material. This block is made to conform at its underside to the recess 2 and fits nicelytherein. Upon the main axle-body 1are lugs a 5, which are arranged on opposite sides of the axle andperforated to receive the bolts of the straps 6 7, which bolts receivethe usual nuts that hold the block 3 in proper position within therecess 2. These straps are secured in place by nuts 8, and the lugs areso formed with relation to the main body portion 1 that none of thefastening devices project below the lower line of said body portion.These lugs may be formed up in any desired manner, and while they arepreferably forged out of the stock of the body portion 1 they may beplanted thereon and brazed or secured in any suitable manner. There is acertain advantage in arranging the lugs at the side of the axlememberand forming them up integral therewith, and it is to be noted thatthese lugs are located well up on the side of the axle, so that allconnecting parts are above the lower line .of the axle member. This formof lug provides avery rigid attachment for the straps and permits thegreatest possible amount of clearance below the axle, which isall-essential to the modern vehicles using the suspension type of wheel.This lug construction also obviates the tendency of cramp betweenthestrap-bolts of the strap 6 7 and cooperating nuts 8 when the latterare screwed to position. In ordinary constructions, where a plate isused below the axle member, it is often difficult to secure properadjustment of the nuts on the strap-bolts, owing to the fact that theplate is tilted from undue tension upon either end.

Centrally of the axle member and in the usual position is a king-bolt 9,which is formed integral with the body portion and surrounded by asocket 10. As shown in the drawings, this socket tapers from the lowerto the upper end and forms what may be called a cone-socket surroundingthe king-bolt.

The numeral 11 denotes the reach-bracket, which is suitably secured to areach member (not shown) and maintains the properrelative positionbetween the front and rear axles of the vehicle. This reach-bracket isbored to fit upon the king-bolt 9 and conforms in general shape to thesocket 10, within which it projects, while a nut or equivalent means 12prevents disengagement of the parts. The advantages of such aconstruction as this are obvious, as the conical reach bracket fitswithin the socket surrounding the king-bolt, and strains which existbetween the parts are taken up between the main partsthe body portion ofthe axle and the reach-bracketand thus little or no strain istransmitted to the king-bolt, which would tend to fracture or bend itout of alinement. In fact, the kingbolt serves practically as a bolsterand retainer for the interengaging parts, While the tapered socket andconical reach-bracket form the real bearing and pivot for the frontaxle.

While the invention herein has been specifically described, as shown, itis obvious that numerous modifications might be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, which contemplates the formation of anaxle having a main metallic body portion recessed to receive a Woodenblock or seat and provided with retaining means for holding the partstogether and with or Without this arrangement a king-bolt formedintegral with the body portion of the axle and so arranged as to serveas a retainer for the bearing portion of the axle and its cooperatingreach-bracket.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In combination, an axle comprising a main axle and removable portion,perforated lugs formed integral with the main axle, straps provided withthreaded ends embracing the removable portion and passing through theperforated lugs, and means cooperating with said lugs and threaded endsfor securing the parts in position.

2. In combination, an axle comprising a main axle and removablepart,perforated lugs formed integral with the main axle and locatedabove the lower line of said axle, strapbolts encircling the removableportion and embraced by the lugs, and means cooperating with saidstrap-bolts and lugs for securing the parts.

3. In combination in an axle center, a main body portion provided withasocket, a king-bolt projecting from said socket, a reachbracketarranged Within the socket and surrounding the king-bolt, and means forholding the parts in position.

4. In combination with an axle having a main body portion and aking-bolt, a socket surrounding the king-bolt and extending within thebody portion, a reach-bracket extending Within the socket andsurrounding the king-bolt, and means for preventing disengagement of theparts.

5. In an axle having a main metallic body portion and a king-bolt formedintegral therewith, of a socket surrounding the king-bolt, areach-bracket extending within the socket, and means for preventingdisengagement of the parts.

6. In combination in an axle, a socket, a king-bolt formed integral Withthe axle and extending from the socket, a reach-bracket forming abearing cooperating with the socket and king-bolt, and means forpreventing dis engagement of the parts.

'7. In combination with an axle provided with a king-bolt, a conicalsocket surrounding said king-bolt, a reach-bracket projecting Withinsaid socket and forming a pivot for the axle, and means for preventingdisengagement of the parts.

C. T. MCCUE.

Witnesses: I

H. T. DoLL, 'WM. H. BARKER.

